Craig briefs: AmeriGas cook-off event crowns local champs

The inaugural AmeriGas Barbecue Cook-Off featured two Northwest Colorado teams cooking up a storm Saturday at the Moffat County Fairgrounds.

Smokin' J's BBQ were the Overall Grand Champions, taking home a $450 payout, as well as Judge's Choice trophies in chicken, ribs and pork. The Steamboat Springs-based team also received Reserve Overall People's Choice and People's Choice for chicken.

Craig's Ly, Steel-N-Smoke won the People's Choice Overall Grand Champion, as well as People's Choice in ribs, brisket, and pork. They were also the Judge's Choice winners in brisket.

The group donated its $225 winnings as Reserve Overall Grand Champion back to organizers for next year's competition, for which AmeriGas representative Vickie Runnion said she is grateful.

"We would also like to thank all those who helped keep everything running and the Judges who did such a great job," she said. "Also, thank you to everyone who stopped by and voted for the People's Choice. We look forward to seeing all of you next year."

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CDOT urges awareness of motorcycle season

According to preliminary data from the Colorado Department of Transportation, 40 motorcyclists lost their lives during the first half of 2015 and 90 motorcyclists were killed in 2014; 97 percent were males.

Nationally, per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclist fatalities occurred 26 times more frequently than passenger car occupants in a traffic crash.

"The riding season is still going strong, so we ask everyone to be careful, including the motorcycle riders themselves," Sam Cole, a public relations official for CDOT, said in a statement. "We've already seen 40 deaths this year, that's 40 deaths too many."

Motorcyclists make up just three percent of vehicles on the road but account for 18 percent of overall fatalities. These fatalities tend to peak during the summer months when more motorcycles are on the road. CDOT's campaign raises awareness, urging drivers to use extra caution.

"Looking twice helps ensure drivers see motorcyclists," Cole said.

Head injury is the leading cause of death in motorcycle crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 1,630 lives were saved in 2013 because of proper helmet usage, and another 715 lives could have been saved if helmets had been worn. Colorado does not require motorcyclists to wear helmets.

CDOT offers the following tips to drivers on how to prevent a fatal crash with a motorcycle.

■ Always allow more follow distance — three to four seconds — when behind a motorcycle. This gives them more time to maneuver or stop in an emergency.

■ Though a motorcycle is a small vehicle, its operator still has all the rights of the road as any other motorist. Allow the motorcycle the full width of a lane at all times.

■ Check all mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles before changing lanes or merging with traffic, especially at intersections.

■ Never drive distracted or impaired.

Group to host meeting with Sen. Baumbardner

The Bears Ears Patriots will host a town hall style meeting with Colorado Sen. Randy Baumgardner at 7 p.m. Aug. 13 at the CNCC Bell Tower Building, 50 College Drive in Room 201. The event is free to the public.

Learn the ropes to field dressing animals

GRAND JUNCTION — With the big game hunting seasons approaching quickly, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is offering "Field Dressing 101," another in a long line of free seminars geared toward helping hunters have a successful season, according to a press release.

The one-evening only class will be held at the Horsethief Canyon State Wildlife Area at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 26.

The class is detailed and will include the use of real animals to provide thorough examples of how to properly field dress big game.

Registration is required and is limited to the first 40 students who sign up. Visit register-ed.com/events/view/64851 or call 970-255-6100 to reserve your spot.

"Especially for the new hunters, field dressing is often the most challenging part of a successful hunt," Dick Severin, assistant northwest region hunter outreach coordinator, said in a statement. "This is a great class for the beginner but even a seasoned pro might learn something new."

Instructors will demonstrate gutting and gutless methods of field processing, deboning, quartering, the best cuts for table fare and suggestions for transporting the meat out of the field. Additional topics will include techniques for skinning with taxidermy in mind.

"If you are planning to mount your harvest, knowing how to skin the animal properly is critical, so that the taxidermist can have a properly prepared hide to work with," Severin said.

The seminar is offered through the agency's Hunter Outreach Program. Colorado hunting regulations require that all big game animals be prepared for human consumption as soon as possible after being killed.

Coffee and a Newspaper to discuss health care

This month, Publisher Renee Campbell and Editor Noelle Leavitt Riley will focus on the increased competition for health care between The Memorial Hospital and Yampa Valley Medical Center. YVMC announced recently it will move into the old Safeway building, consolidating all its clinics in Craig under one roof. For more information, call 970-875-1788.